Wolf Ridge recognized with national conservation award for outdoor education efforts
Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center is one of five residential environmental learning centers in Minnesota being recognized with the Izaak Walton League of America’s National Honor Roll Award. The other centers are Deep Portage, Eagle Bluff, Long Lake Conservation Center and Osprey Wilds. The five environmental learning centers were recognized at an Oct. 23, 2026, ceremony.
The award recognizes organizations that have made significant contributions to conservation, public education and environmental stewardship.
Izaak Walton League chapters across Minnesota submitted nominations for awards. The league’s Minnesota Division ultimately chose to recognize the five environmental learning centers together, highlighting their shared accomplishments and commitment to outdoor education.
“Wolf Ridge was recognized as part of the Coalition of Outdoor School for All Group. We work with a total of five residential environmental learning centers, and have been for nearly the last five years, towards passing legislation on Outdoor School for All,” Wolf Ridge Executive Director Vanessa Riegler told WTIP. “So, the Izaak Walton League took this opportunity to really recognize our collaboration and collective contributions, and that felt really special to be able to elevate the work we’re doing as partners in this area.”
Founded in 1922, the Izaak Walton League of America is a national conservation organization dedicated to protecting and restoring natural resources.
In 2025, Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation establishing the Outdoor School for All initiative as part of Minnesota’s omnibus environment bill. The legislation passed with bipartisan support and established the state’s first dedicated funding stream for overnight outdoor education programs. It provides $848,000 across fiscal years 2026 and 2027, according to state budget documents.
Outdoor School for All supports multiday, accredited overnight experiences that give students opportunities to participate in outdoor recreation and learn about natural science and cultural history.
The funding helps reduce financial barriers for schools seeking to participate in programs offered by environmental learning centers such as Wolf Ridge. Schools in the Arrowhead region and across Minnesota can access funding to help cover tuition, teacher stipends and transportation costs.
“I think that the opportunity to experience a program like this — it really changes kids. It is impactful and memorable. They walk away and remember this throughout their lives,” Riegler said.
Riegler said her goal is to ensure every student in Minnesota has the opportunity to participate in an outdoor school experience. Achieving that goal, she said, will require continued collaboration and additional capacity.
“We need the support of our schools, the school districts, the parents, and we need enough spaces to bring them. So we need more organizations to join the work with us to be part of this coalition, so that we have enough space to support that vision,” Riegler said.
WTIP spoke with Riegler about the award, the Outdoor School for All initiative and some of her favorite moments working with students. The audio of that conversation can be found below.
Josh Hinke November 9, 2026
